Page 3741 - Week 10 - Thursday, 14 September 2017
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Education—ACT training awards
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Higher Education, Training and Research. Can the minister please update the Assembly about the recent ACT training awards?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Pettersson, who was able to join me at the ACT training awards, which are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the commitment, innovation and outstanding achievements of all of those involved in the ACT’s VET sector. This year’s awards attracted 82 nominations across 14 categories and were attended by almost 500 guests.
I also thank and congratulate local industry for their considerable support of the event. This year $54,000 in sponsorship was received from 13 different organisations. Importantly, 42 judges, including industry representatives, past winners and government officials, also participated in judging panels. I was thrilled to announce the individual award winners on the night and to present Tiffany Davies with the 2017 ACT Australian Apprentice of the Year award. Tiffany studied for a certificate III in retail baking and is a great example of an apprentice whose hard work and dedication, displayed throughout her apprenticeship, has seen her flourish in an industry she loves.
It was also great to see our local businesses being recognised for their commitment to their employees and the ACT’s VET sector. Employers recognised on the night included Canberra Connections, Calvary John James Hospital and the Vikings Group. Their contribution to the VET sector as users, advocates and role models for training is incredibly important. The outstanding achievements by local individuals and businesses are a testament to the quality provision of VET we have here in the ACT.
MR PETTERSSON: Can the minister advise the Assembly of how the ACT government is helping Canberrans to access vocational training?
MS FITZHARRIS: Indeed the ACT government, through Skills Canberra, supports jobseekers and existing workers through two main programs: Australian apprenticeships and skilled capital.
The Australian apprenticeships program provides vocational education and training in conjunction with employment under an apprenticeship or traineeship. Skilled capital funds VET in accordance with the identified demand for skills in the ACT and offers a range of additional funding supports to encourage completion of a qualification or, in the most recent list, the new skill set. Subsidies for skilled capital and Australian apprenticeships are provided towards training, relative to the demand for skills associated with each specific qualification. This means that funding is aimed at qualifications that are more likely to deliver good quality employment outcomes for students.
Skills Canberra also assures the quality of training delivered in the ACT through the ACT quality framework. I must mention that Canberrans are also able to access
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